Written Answers Monday 18 June 2007

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average agri-environment payment was per hectare of utilisable agricultural land for the last year for which figures are available and what comparative information it has for (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) the European Union as a whole.

Richard Lochhead: The average agri-environment payment in Scotland in 2005 per hectare of utilisable agricultural land was £3.02. The comparable figures for (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) the European Union as a whole are (a) £21.31, (b) £33.22, (c) £10.00 and (d) £11.43*. One of the significant factors underlying the wide variation in figures for payments per hectare of utilisable agricultural land between different countries in the EU is the significant variation in the intensity of agricultural utilisation; average levels of payment per agricultural holding show much less variation.

  Note: *The EU figure relates to 2001, the most recent year for which information is available.

Agriculture

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it reached its decision that £10 million was the appropriate amount of funding for the new entrants scheme for farmers.

Richard Lochhead: This decision was based on the experience and funding of a similar scheme in Northern Ireland and on the funding available for the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). There will be flexibility within the new SRDP to vary the funding available under the New Entrants measure should this be appropriate.

Agriculture

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to establish an independent appeals panel for farmers that is separate from the Executive.

Richard Lochhead: I will be having discussions with officials to consider how we take forward our commitment to review the current EU agricultural subsidies appeals procedure. I will announce further details in due course.

Agriculture

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when it introduces a new statutory regulation for the farming industry, it will first remove any relevant regulation that is currently in place.

Richard Lochhead: Our aim is that where possible new regulations should replace, rather than add to, existing regulations. In practice, however, it may not always be possible to guarantee that one regulation will be removed for every regulation introduced, for example where this is in response to new or emerging priorities.

Agriculture

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified any statutory regulations applicable to the farming industry that it considers to be unnecessary.

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any statutory regulations, currently in force and affecting the farming industry, which it considers to be unnecessary and should be removed.

Richard Lochhead: We are working with NFU Scotland on such matters and to identify ways in which we can improve the regulatory framework for agriculture so that the sector continues to meet its regulatory obligations, but with fewer constraints on farm businesses and reduced cost of regulation.

Child Poverty

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish targets on the reduction of child poverty.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to improving the life chances of all Scots and tackling the poverty and disadvantage which far too many Scots suffer.

  We are committed to sharing the UK Government’s long-term target to eradicate child poverty by 2020. We are aware that poverty is about more than a lack of decent income. It is also about ill health, educational achievement, access to services, and maximising opportunities in the labour market for parents. Policies across the Scottish Government are working on all these areas and we will continue to work to maximise the impact these have and ensure they are effectively joined-up at national and local level.

  We are currently reviewing existing policy commitments in this area and will make clear what our priorities are in the coming months. However, by developing policies that reflect our overarching strategic principles of making Scotland a Wealthier and Fairer, Healthier, Safer, Smarter and Greener nation, we will be taking meaningful steps towards tackling child poverty.

Children and Young People

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to take forward the recommendations of the previous Executive’s implementation plan, Getting it right for every child, in respect of the delivery of children’s services and the effectiveness of the children’s hearing system and, if so, how it will do this.

Adam Ingram: Getting it right for every child supports many of the Scottish Executive’s objectives. We are keen to progress action which improves outcomes for children. We will continue to support measures designed to improve practice and remove barriers We are currently considering whether the implementation plan and draft legislation brought forward by the previous administration will support this agenda. This will be considered in the light of the responses to the consultation and learning so far.

Communities

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the Community Regeneration Fund’s focus on delivering service for the 15% most deprived areas as identified by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Stewart Maxwell: In the context of the spending review, the Scottish Government is currently considering the future and focus of the Community Regeneration Fund post March 2008, when the current three year programme ends.

Defence

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS employees have been recruited into the British armed forces following recruitment activities in hospitals and what the resulting impact has been on the delivery of health services to patients in each year since 2003.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not available centrally.

Defence

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider banning the practice of recruitment visits to hospitals by the armed forces targeting NHS staff, in light of pressure on NHS boards to deliver high-quality health provision to patients.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has no plans to ban recruitment visits to hospitals by the British Armed Forces. Recruitment visits are in the main held for recruitment to the reserves or Territorial Army (TA) and are carried out with the permission of the hospital. NHS staff are entitled under employment law legislation to take special leave with pay to perform essential civic and public duties, such as serving as a reserve or in the TA.

Families

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to the funding to support parenting orders which has been provided to sustain family support work in a variety of contexts and which is designed to enable families to operate effectively in family units.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Executive recognise the importance of quality parenting a child receives in determining his or her future. All parents need help at some point and the Scottish Executive believes strongly in the importance of providing that support.

  COSLA are currently looking at information collected from the local authorities on how the funding to support parenting orders has been spent.

Firearms

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council regarding proposals for a bye-law banning the use of airguns in Aberdeen.

Kenny MacAskill: No discussions have taken place on this issue.

Firearms

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to support proposals for a bye-law banning the use of airguns in Aberdeen.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is committed to taking action to protect our communities from the real fear and harm caused by the misuse of air weapons. We shall look at any proposal from Aberdeen City Council on this issue with interest.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the Cod Recovery Plan 2 which the European Commission wishes to introduce in 2009 and whether the Executive supports the reorganisation of the Cod Recovery Plan.

Richard Lochhead: I believe there is a need to review the cod recovery plan. My aim will be to secure a plan which as far as possible decouples the management of cod from other stocks, brings greater stability to the fleet and helps achieve our aim of a sustainable fishery. I shall be working very closely with the Scottish fishing sector in pursuing this aim.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how fishing stakeholders will be directly involved in international negotiations and EU Fisheries Councils.

Richard Lochhead: This government will give fishing the priority and importance it deserves. This will include the development of a closer relationship with stakeholders in the run up to and during negotiations. I am currently exploring with the industry and others how best to achieve this.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether producer organisations will be defined as "active fishermen" and "coastal communities" in respect of the allocation of fishing entitlement.

Richard Lochhead: Under the previous administration, the management arrangements governing fishing quotas have been under review for some time as part of a joint UK Quota Management Change Programme (QMCP).

  I have asked my officials as a matter of urgency to review progress and provide advice on the best route forward to serve Scottish interests, including meeting the needs of active fishermen and fishing communities. The role of producer organisations - an intrinsic aspect of fisheries management in Scotland - will also be considered.

Fisheries

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what extra conservation measures it wishes to see applied to the Scottish fishing fleet.

Richard Lochhead: I recognise the need to balance environmental and economic sustainability of fishing activities. Within Europe, Scottish fishermen have been at the forefront of developing fishing techniques which reduce the impact of fishing. I will engage with fishermen, fishing communities and environmental bodies on any further measures the sector might take, in particular developing long-term management plans to secure the sustainability of stocks.

Fostering

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish its strategy for fostering and kinship care.

Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-277 on 7 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Higher Education

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-45 by Fiona Hyslop on 6 June 2007, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, a member of her ministerial team or the First Minister has met the Scottish Funding Council to discuss the suspension of the University of Glasgow’s intake of undergraduate students at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries.

Fiona Hyslop: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning discussed the suspension of the University of Glasgow’s intake of undergraduate students at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council at a meeting she had with him on 4 June 2007 about academic provision at the Campus.

Higher Education

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-45 by Fiona Hyslop on 6 June 2007, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, a member of her ministerial team or the First Minister has met the Principal of the University of Glasgow to discuss the suspension of the university’s intake of undergraduate students at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries.

Fiona Hyslop: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has discussed the suspension of the University of Glasgow’s intake of undergraduate students at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries with the Principal.

Housing

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has held with the Chartered Institute of Housing to discuss her proposals for housing.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing plans to hold with the Chartered Institute of Housing to discuss her proposals for housing.

Nicola Sturgeon: The new Scottish Government is keen to meet a range of housing organisations to discuss future action on housing provision. No meetings have yet been held with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), but I and the Minister for Communities and Sport hope to meet key stakeholders such as CIH soon.

Housing

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has held with local authorities to discuss the future of housing in each local authority area.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has met COSLA to discuss her proposals for housing.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Minister for Communities and Sport and I met with Councillor Stephen Purcell of Glasgow City Council on 12 June 2007. Local authorities, and their representative body COSLA, are key partners in meeting Scotland’s wide range of housing needs. The Minister for Communities and Sport and I look forward to meeting the new leaders of COSLA once they have been appointed. We would hope to discuss with them, and with local authorities, a range of issues concerning housing provision, and in particular my wish for the Scottish Government to work closely with local partners.

Housing

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address the shortage of affordable homes in areas where a significant proportion of homes are classed as second or holiday homes.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is currently assessing a broad range of housing issues across the country and is aware of the pressures on affordable housing in some areas. Scotland is characterised both by areas of demand for housing and by areas which have a surplus of housing, so it is the responsibility of local authorities to assess housing need in their areas, taking account of all pressures on the housing stock, in their Local Housing Strategies.

Housing

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the legislation governing the operation of houses in multiple occupation.

Stewart Maxwell: New provisions relating to the licensing of houses in multiple occupation are included in part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and are expected to be implemented in 2008. The implementation process will include consultation on various aspects which are subject to subordinate legislation and statutory guidance. Houses in multiple occupation were also discussed in the context of the Planning Act 2006, and the Scottish Government proposes to consult on planning guidance on this topic in due course.

Housing

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the administration and effectiveness of the register of private landlords.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is working closely with local authorities to strengthen the role of landlord registration in raising standards in private rented housing and ensure it is effectively administered. The initial implementation process will be reviewed in due course to put into practice any lessons learned before landlords apply to renew their registrations, from March 2009.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to introduce a first-time buyers’ grant.

Stewart Maxwell: We are acutely aware of the importance of meeting Scotland’s wide range of housing needs. We are looking carefully at potential action to help first-time buyers. One of our key aims is improving measures to help more individuals and families who are currently excluded from the housing market. We are considering a range of measures to do this, including grants and a Scottish Housing Support Fund for shared equity provision.

Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when section 62 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 will come into force.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Executive will continue to have discussions with the Law Society of Scotland and other stakeholders regarding the commencement of section 62 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007. No commencement date has been decided on at present.

Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discretion it has to vary the application of section 62 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in the case of solicitors who have retired from practice but continue to act as notaries public.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Executive does not have the discretion to vary the application of section 62 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in the case of solicitors who have retired from practice but continue to act as notaries public.

Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discretion it has to vary the application of section 62 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in the case of notaries public who make no charge for their service.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Executive does not have the discretion to vary the application of section 62 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in the case of notaries public who make no charge for their service.

NHS Hospitals

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the announcement to reverse the decision to downgrade accident and emergency services at Monklands Hospital will have on other health service plans detailed in NHS Lanarkshire’s report, A Picture of Health .

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the announcement to reverse the decision to downgrade accident and emergency services at Monklands Hospital will have on plans for the new community casualty unit in Cumbernauld.

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the announcement to reverse the decision to downgrade accident and emergency services at Monklands Hospital will have on plans for the new health campus in Kilsyth.

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the announcement to reverse the decision to downgrade accident and emergency services at Monklands Hospital will affect planned investment in Kilsyth Victoria Cottage Hospital, as set out in NHS Lanarkshire’s report, A Picture of Health .

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the announcement to reverse the decision to downgrade accident and emergency services at Monklands Hospital will affect plans for improving primary health care facilities for communities north of the A80 in Cumbernauld, as set out in NHS Lanarkshire’s report, A Picture of Health .

Nicola Sturgeon: As I outlined in my statement in the Chamber on 6 June 2007, I have instructed the board of NHS Lanarkshire to review their original plans and to produce revised proposals that will enable accident and emergency services to continue at the three sites in Lanarkshire. I am clear that, as far as possible within the resources available to the board, I want them to retain their primary care and community development programmes.

  I recognise that there are many issues to address, for example relating to clinical workload and staffing. I want these challenges to be faced up to in a way that puts patients first and is innovative.

  It is now a matter for the board to determine how best to deliver these services and to produce proposals. Their proposals will then undergo a process of independent scrutiny, following which I expect to take a decision by the turn of the year.

NHS Hospitals

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the announcement to reverse the decision to downgrade accident and emergency services at Monklands Hospital, whether patients residing in the NHS Lanarkshire area will still be able to access treatment in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Forth Valley areas.

Nicola Sturgeon: We operate a National Health Service where patients can access treatment in board areas other than their own, where this is considered clinically appropriate.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the accident and emergency facility at Ayr Hospital will continue to provide a full service to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the accident and emergency facility at Ayr Hospital will be supported on a 24 hours a day, seven days a week basis by the provision of (a) general surgery 24/7 receiving services, (b) general medical 24/7 receiving services (including provision for admissions of older people), (c) orthopaedic surgery 24/7 receiving services, (d) anaesthetics services on a 24/7 basis, including general critical care services, (e) radiology services on a 24/7 basis, (f) paediatric receiving services, (g) obstetric receiving services and (h) gynaecology receiving services.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Ayr Hospital would meet the accepted definition of an accident and emergency facility if any of (a) general surgery 24/7 receiving services, (b) general medical 24/7 receiving services (including provision for admissions of older people), (c) orthopaedic surgery 24/7 receiving services, (d) anaesthetics services on a 24/7 basis, including general critical care services, (e) radiology services on a 24/7 basis, (f) paediatric receiving services, (g) obstetric receiving services and (h) gynaecology receiving services were not to be provided.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional staff, and at what grades, will require to be recruited to continue to provide a full accident and emergency service at both Ayr and Crosshouse hospitals.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when work to expand facilities, including community casualty facilities, at East Ayrshire Community Hospital will commence.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the expansion of facilities, including community casualty facilities, at East Ayrshire Community Hospital will be completed.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the decision to retain accident and emergency (A&E) services at Ayr Hospital will have on patients attending A&E at Crosshouse Hospital with minor injuries.

Nicola Sturgeon: As I outlined in my statement in the Chamber on 6 June 2007, I have instructed the board of NHS Ayrshire and Arran to review their original plans and to produce revised proposals that will enable accident and emergency services to continue at both sites in Ayrshire. I am clear that, as far as possible within the resources available to the board, I want them to retain their primary care and community development programmes.

  I recognise that there are many issues to address, for example relating to clinical workload and staffing. I want these challenges to be faced up to in a way that puts patients first and is innovative.

  It is now a matter for the board to determine how best to deliver these services and to produce proposals. Their proposals will then undergo a process of independent scrutiny, following which I expect to take a decision by the turn of the year.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees that the services outlined by the Kerr Report as constituting a Level 3a unscheduled care facility, namely (a) general surgery 24/7 receiving services, (b) general medical 24/7 receiving services (including provision for admissions of older people), (c) orthopaedic surgery 24/7 receiving services, (d) anaesthetics services on a 24/7 basis, including general critical care services, (e) radiology services on a 24/7 basis, (f) paediatric receiving services, (g) obstetric receiving services and (h) gynaecology receiving services, are the minimum services required to constitute an effective and sustainable accident and emergency facility.

Nicola Sturgeon: Further to my answer to question S3W-752 on 18 June 2007, I have been clear that we support the general principles set out for the future of health care services in Scotland in the Kerr Report. I also made clear that I believe these principles should be applied in a way that takes proper account of local circumstances and the views of local communities.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the budget allocated to expand facilities at East Ayrshire Community Hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, taking account of the work underway to revise its Review of Services proposals, as referred to in the answer to question S3W-752 on 18 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the work already undertaken to establish a community casualty facility at East Ayrshire Community Hospital following the letter dated 15 December 2006 from the Minister for Heath and Community Care to the chair of NHS Ayrshire and Arran which instructed the NHS board to establish this as the first community casualty facility in Ayrshire.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Girvan Community Hospital will provide (a) in-patient beds, (b) out-patient beds (primary and secondary care), (c) general medical services (GP practices), (d) dental services, (e) podiatry, (f) speech and language therapy, (g) physiotherapy, (h) occupational therapy, (i) diagnostics (x-ray), (j) dietetics, (k) a community casualty facility, (l) minor procedures services, (m) day services, (n) a Scottish Ambulance Services facility, (o) an integrated care team and (p) evening nurse services.

Nicola Sturgeon: This is matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when building work will commence on the new community hospital in Girvan.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Ayrshire and Arran have advised that building work on the new community hospital in Girvan will commence in January 2008, subject to appropriate statutory approval being obtained.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the new community hospital in Girvan will be completed.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Ayrshire and Arran have advised that the new community hospital in Girvan will be completed in August 2009.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the budget allocated for the (a) building and (b) running of the new community hospital in Girvan.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Ayrshire and Arran have advised the Executive that the capital budget allocated for the new community hospital building in Girvan will be around £20 million and the running costs will be £3.65 million.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be made available for the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide additional ambulance and paramedic services in rural south Ayrshire following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional ambulance and paramedic facilities will be put in place in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire, following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional ambulance and paramedic services will be put in place in rural communities in South Ayrshire following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional ambulance and paramedic services will be stationed in Maybole following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional ambulance and paramedic services will be stationed in Girvan following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional ambulance and paramedic services will be stationed in Cumnock following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional ambulance and paramedic services will be stationed in the Doon Valley following the decision to retain accident and emergency services at Ayr Hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: As I outlined in my statement in the Chamber on 6 June 2007, I have instructed the board of NHS Ayrshire and Arran to review their original plans and to produce revised proposals that will enable accident and emergency services to continue at both sites in Ayrshire. I am clear that, as far as possible within the resources available to the board, I want them to retain their primary care and community development programmes.

  I recognise that there are many issues to address, for example relating to clinical workload and staffing. I want these challenges to be faced up to in a way that puts patients first and is innovative. I would expect the Scottish Ambulance Service to be fully involved as the board takes this important work forward so that it may be ready to ensure that any resource consequences are accommodated.

  It is a matter for the board to determine how best to deliver these services and to produce proposals. Their proposals will then undergo a process of independent scrutiny, following which I expect to take a decision by the turn of the year.

NHS Hospitals

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-152 by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 June 2007, whether hospital parking charges can be considered to be excessive when they are used to cover the cost of providing parking facilities.

Nicola Sturgeon: Car park charging on hospital sites is a matter for local NHS boards in light of local circumstances and the cost of providing parking facilities must relate to the cost and availability of parking provision in the surrounding areas.

  In recent months, NHS Lothian has reduced the maximum charge made at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh from £10 to £7 and, likewise, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has, following its review, reduced the maximum charge to be introduced at certain Glasgow hospitals next month from £12 to £7.

  The current charges for car parking (including those to be introduced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in July) are as follows:

  

NHS Board
Hospital
Charges


NHS Grampian
Aberdeen Royal, including Children’s and Maternity Hospitals and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin
1st half hour free
£1 minimum  £5 maximum


NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
£1.10


From 29th July - Western Infirmary, Gartnavel General Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the Queen Mother’s Hospital at Yorkhill and the Victoria Infirmary and the board headquarters.
£1 minimum£7 maximum


NHS Highland
Raigmore Hospital
£1


NHS Lothian
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Western General & Royal Victoria Hospitals
£1 minimum£7 maximum


St John’s, Livingston
£1 minimum
£2 maximum


NHS Tayside
Ninewells Hospital
£1.50 minimum
£10 maximum


Perth Royal Infirmary 
£1.20

NHS Hospitals

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the monies raised by car parking charges introduced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be spent on (a) improving car parking facilities, (b) improving transport facilities or (c) helping to reduce the current debt owed by the NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The introduction of car parking charging, or revision of existing arrangements, is a matter for NHS boards in light of local circumstances. Car parking charging should not be introduced as a means of generating income but may be justified if the income generated is used by the board to cover any significant costs in providing parking facilities (e.g. capital charges, maintenance costs, administration costs, security costs, security lighting, CCTV); to cover the cost of providing new or improved parking facilities or making existing facilities more secure; or to better manage car parking facilities by discouraging unauthorised users (e.g. fly-parkers) but in so doing, measures taken to discourage unauthorised users must not be detrimental to the car parking arrangements for staff, patients, carers and visitors.

  In all cases charges should reflect a reasonable balance between the perceived needs of staff, patients and visitors, the general cost of car parking in the area, and the costs of maintaining car parking facilities.

  NHS boards must be able to demonstrate the level of income generated from car parking and how it has been utilised. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that income from the charges imposed would be pooled across the hospital sites and used exclusively to fund improvements to parking, transport and traffic management.

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is to negotiate with the public transport providers for new or extended services and provide public transport information on-site, both paper based or electronic. It also intends to provide information on sustainable transport options given and information on existing shuttle bus services currently in operation.

  The introduction of the Car Parking policy by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS board will see the creation of 350 new jobs and the new income will be invested in ambitious environmentally friendly transport solutions to tempt more staff out of their cars including:

  Interest free instalment plan to buy Strathclyde Passenger Transport Zone Cards.

  Develop managed staff car share schemes.

  Introduction of expanded hospital pool-car scheme.

  Develop inter-hospital staff shuttle bus service.

  Interest free bike loans.

NHS Staff

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to address a national shortage of sonographers.

Nicola Sturgeon: We have established new workforce planning arrangements in Scotland to help match the supply of staff to the workforce demand from NHS boards. Board plans published in April 2007 provide staffing projections for all staff groups to deliver their planned patient services. Early analysis of the board plans gives no indication of demand for sonographers exceeding supply. However, NHS Education for Scotland continues to support improvements and increased learning opportunities for sonographers.

Older People

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase capital and revenue funding to NHS Highland and the Highland Council to ensure that services provided by the Assynt Centre and Caladh Sona to elderly people in remote areas are safeguarded and improved and that a replacement Migdale Hospital is brought into service within previously agreed timescales.

Nicola Sturgeon: Both NHS Highland and Highland Council receive annual increases in capital and revenue funding. However, the use of all available funding, including investment decisions in key services, is a matter for NHS Highland and the council to decide, taking account of local and national priorities.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards awarding the contract to build the new Low Moss prison at Bishopbriggs.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The procurement process commenced in March 2007 and the pre-qualification stage has been completed. An invitation to proceed to the next stage of the process was issued to selected bidders on 8 May 2007.

  Scottish ministers are currently considering options for the future development of this site.

Research and Development

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is being made in its Environment Directorates for industry-initiated research and development programmes to be accommodated within the current system of funding such research and development.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Executive Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate supports and encourages collaborative research for innovative and industrially-relevant research with industry partners. Funding for such research is provided through the contract research fund and is carried out mainly through the UK LINK programmes.

  Representatives from all areas of industry are included as part of the consultation and engagement processes undertaken by the Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate when developing research programmes and strategy.

Rural Development

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been, or will be, paid to Shetland crofters and farmers in the current year and two previous years under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Rural Stewardship Scheme.

Richard Lochhead: The information is as follows:

  

 
Actual Expenditure
2005-06
Actual Expenditure
2006-07
Estimated Expenditure
2007-08


Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme
£1,985,271
£1,980,371
£1,582,942


Rural Stewardship Scheme
£71,109
£293,391
£534,096


Totals
£2,056,380
£2,273,762
£2,117,038

Rural Development

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a dedicated fund to refurbish or modernise village halls and other community buildings.

Richard Lochhead: The Scotland Rural Development Programme will open up new opportunities for rural communities. It has been designed to enable support to be offered for the provision of leisure, recreation, sporting, catering, and other rural community services and facilities, including village halls and other community buildings.

School Meals

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether free school meals pilot schemes will be available in Glasgow.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the duration of the free school meals pilot schemes will be.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many free school meals pilot schemes there will be.

Fiona Hyslop: We are currently considering various options to trial the extension of free school meals and we will set out details of our plans in due course.

School Meals

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to increase the uptake of free school meals throughout all years of secondary school.

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to increase the uptake of free school meals throughout all years of primary school.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to increase the uptake of free school meals in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government supports Education Authorities to promote uptake of school meals by making funds available through the National Priorities Action Fund and sharing good practice through the Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit. The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 places a duty on all education authorities to promote the uptake of school meals, and in particular free school meals. This duty will commence in August 2008 and progress will be monitored by HM Inspectorate of Education.

School Meals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the availability of free school meals to families receiving working families tax credit in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire.

Fiona Hyslop: We are committed to extending free school meals eligibility. We are currently considering how best to take this forward and will announce detailed plans in due course.

School Meals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether free school meals pilot schemes will be available in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire.

Fiona Hyslop: We are currently considering various options to trial the extension of free school meals and we will set out details of our plans in due course.

Scottish Rural Development Programme

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the effect on crofters will be of the proposed voluntary modulation rate under the Scottish Rural Development Plan.

Richard Lochhead: The effect on crofters of the proposed rates of voluntary modulation will be the same as for other land managers who are in receipt of the Single Farm Payment. Like other land managers crofters will have access to all relevant measures under the new programme but in addition they will have access to crofting-specific measures such as the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme.

Scottish Rural Development Programme

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the development of farm businesses based on high-value non-food crops, such as bog myrtle, will be eligible for support under the new Scottish Rural Development Programme.

Richard Lochhead: The new Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 will, indeed, include a specific measure that will afford farm businesses, including collaborations, an opportunity to submit proposals for diversifying into alternative forms of agricultural production such as non-food crops.

  Individual proposals will be judged on merit and assessed, along with other proposals for funding, against standard selection criteria.

Sexual Offences

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Law Commission on its work on rape and other sexual offences.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Law Commission is currently working on its report on rape and other sexual offences. It is expected that it will report to ministers in autumn 2007.

Sexual Offences

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a sexual offences bill following the work of the Scottish Law Commission on rape and other sexual offences and, if so, when it expects the bill to be introduced.

Kenny MacAskill: We will determine how best to take forward the Scottish Law Commission’s work when we receive their report and draft bill.

Sexual Offences

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates that any forthcoming sexual offences bill will propose the removal of the gender-specific element of rape offences.

Kenny MacAskill: It would not be appropriate to speculate on the contents of the Scottish Law Commission’s forthcoming report on rape and sexual offences. However, their Discussion Paper , published in January 2006, included measures to amend the definition of rape so that it would no longer be gender-specific.

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have been held with representatives of sportscotland to discuss the future status of that body.

Stewart Maxwell: I have had an introductory meeting with Julia Bracewell (Chair) and Stewart Harris (Chief Executive) of sportscotland at which I confirmed that there would be no decisions on the future of sportscotland without a full appreciation of the facts and that the future of sportscotland would be considered within the context of the wider review of public bodies announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 24 May 2007.

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications will be for lottery funding of sport in Scotland of any change to the status of sportscotland.

Stewart Maxwell: Sportscotland is the distributor of the lottery sports fund in Scotland. If a change of status meant that sportscotland no longer existed then arrangements would need to be made to consider which other organisation could best fulfil this role.

  However, the Scottish Government will continue to ensure the smooth distribution of lottery funding to sport in Scotland.

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications will be for the national indoor sports arena planned for Glasgow of any change in the status of sportscotland.

Stewart Maxwell: The issue of any change in the status of sportscotland has no bearing on the building of the National Indoor Sports Arena.

  The building of the National Indoor Sports Arena will be undertaken as part of the National Regional Sports Facility Strategy, and will not be affected by any decisions taken in relation to the status of sportscotland.

Supermarkets

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will tackle issues arising from cheap and inferior imports reaching the shelves of Scottish supermarkets.

Richard Lochhead: We will be consulting primary producers, processors and the supermarkets on how best to ensure fresh local and seasonal produce is given adequate space and clear signage in retail outlets across Scotland.

Vaccines

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the circumstances which led to vaccines being stored at the wrong temperature in a medical practice in Aberdeen have arisen elsewhere in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The national audit of GP Practices is not yet complete. However, since the audit began on 8 November 2006 one further GP practice in Grampian and two in Forth Valley have announced that certain vaccines may have been stored at temperatures outside the recommended range. As a result, some patients were offered booster vaccinations.

Vaccines

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the results of its national audit of vaccine storage procedures will be placed in the public domain.

Nicola Sturgeon: The results of the national audit of vaccines will be placed in the public domain once the exercise is complete.

Vaccines

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its national audit of vaccine storage procedures has led to revaccination of any patients, other than patients of the medical practice in Aberdeen where the issue of vaccines being stored at the wrong temperature first arose.

Nicola Sturgeon: The national audit is not yet complete. The final report will contain a full analysis.

Waste Management

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-10863 by Ross Finnie on 26 October 2006, when it will announce the funding of the upgrading of waste management facilities in the city of Glasgow.

Richard Lochhead: Glasgow City Council submitted a bid in May 2007 for further support from the Strategic Waste Fund to continue recycling services and enhance them. This bid is currently being assessed for value for money. In relation to proposals for residual waste infrastructure, we are considering our position on the announcement made by the previous administration in March 2007.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Energy Efficiency

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what plans it has to replace ordinary light bulbs in the Parliament building with energy saving bulbs.

Alex Johnstone: We recognise that a number of areas of the building are lit by less efficient tungsten filament lamps. Replacing these lamps will contribute towards our three year energy reduction target, which is currently on course to be achieved. A start has been made on identifying practical options for replacing lamps in a number of areas. In 2008 a full study will be undertaken to identify where it will be cost effective and feasible to replace lamps with energy saving ones.